If you’re looking to buy a new home, water quality is likely not high on your checklist. The water supply at your new property must be safe and sanitized.
You can use a VA, FHA, or USDA loan to buy property if you are a prospective homeowner in Central Florida. When you finance a property using one of these loans, you likely aren’t asking yourself: “Are well water tests required for my FHA loan?”
Water tests are required if the property financed or refinanced using one of these three loans is served by a private well or some other non-public water source. Keep on reading to learn why you are required to do water testing for loans and refinancing.
Water Testing: General Information
The VA, FHA, and USDA all require water tests to look for nitrates, nitrites, total coliform, and E. Coli. They want to make sure that your water is clean and safe before you close on your loan. As the new homeowner, you are responsible for setting up the water quality test. Homeowners are not recommended to do a water quality test without the help of a professional.
Ideally, there’s a local health authority that can have one of their employees handle getting that private well water quality test. If there is no local health authority, you can hire a local testing lab, or some other independent third party can collect and deliver the sample.
VA Loan Water Testing Requirements
An independent VA appraiser will assess the minimum property requirements (the MPRs) as part of the appraisal process if you are financing your property through a VA loan.
VA loan requirements don’t have a list of safety requirements and contaminants for private well water. Well water testing for VA loans is a price that VA buyers have to pay upfront, but it’s possible to seek reimbursement from the seller.
FHA Loan Water Testing Requirements
According to FHA loan requirements, it’s up to the homeowner to make sure that the water quality meets the requirements of the proper health authorities if a private water supply is present. The water quality must meet the standards set by the EPA if there are no local or state water quality standards.
USDA Loan Water Testing Requirements
The USDA Rural Home Development requires a water quality test if the property you finance through your USDA loan has a well as its source of water. The results must meet EPA minimum thresholds for lead, nitrites, nitrates, and coliform.
Florida Water Testing Requirements
The state of Florida doesn’t require regular water testing once you have closed on your loan and moved into your new property. It’s recommended that Florida homeowners test their well water every year for coliform bacteria and nitrates.
Schedule a Water Quality Test Today
At Central Florida Building Inspectors, our state-licensed and certified home inspectors can do a wide arrange of inspection services, including water testing. You can ask us a question or visit our website to find out what our team can do for you.
